THE best headteacher in England is working with colleagues in Rossendale to improve provision for young people in the Valley.

Iain Hulland, head of Alder Grange Community and Technology School, Rawtenstall, revealed the move to parents, staff and pupils at last night's prize night.

Mr Hulland - recently crowned Headteacher of the Year at the National Teaching Awards 2004 - said forging partnerships was the future for education.

And he used the occasion to thank the people who supported his quest for the award and said: "I am still writing to all those who contributed in any way and there are loads still to be written. I shall never forget the experience, nor cease to be grateful for it."

Mr Hulland told the audience the "ground-breaking" school had been through one of the most demanding years ever. He said: "We have become one of only 104 Leading Edge Schools in England. We were noted as an Outstanding School having achieved one of the best Ofsted reports the LEA and England has seen.

"We had earlier achieved Listening School Status, the first High School in Britain to do so, and our work with the Design Council on the Renaissance Project began in earnest, something which will help shape not only our school but the future shape of learning environments for the next century."

He added: "Our future lies with a stronger relationship with Rossendale Council and our ever-strengthening partnerships with partner primary and high schools.

"My brother and sister headteachers are people I like and respect. We are working closely together to develop the next stages of high quality provision for all young people in Rossendale.

"We are involved in creating a seriously ground-breaking virtual school and there are other schemes in the pipeline."